Instagram is a popular social media platform that allows users to share photos and videos as stories. These stories remain visible for 24 hours and can be viewed by followers.
However, sometimes users may encounter an error message that says “This Story Is Unavailable.” This message can be confusing because it prevents the user from viewing the story they intended to watch.
In this guide, Dubai Web explains what this error means and how to fix it.
What Does “This Story Is Unavailable” Mean?
When you see “This Story Is Unavailable” or “This story is no longer available” on Instagram, it simply means that the story is not accessible anymore.
Why Are Some Stories Unavailable?
Common reasons include:
- The user has deleted the story.
- The story is shared only with Close Friends, and you are not on that list.
- The account owner has blocked you.
- The account is private, and you are not following it.
- The story has expired (24 hours have passed).
- The account has been deactivated by its owner.
- Technical issues with Instagram’s servers can also cause this error.
A story being unavailable does not always mean the account is blocked or inactive. It may simply have expired or been removed.
Try checking other stories from the same account. If you cannot view any of them, the account may be private, deactivated, or you may have been blocked.
How to Fix “This Story Is Unavailable”
1. Check your internet connection
- Ensure you have a stable connection.
- Restart your modem or router.
- Check whether other apps are working properly.
2. Restart the app
- Close the Instagram app completely.
- Reopen it and try viewing the story again.
3. Clear Instagram’s cache
- Go to Settings > Apps on your device.
- Find and select Instagram.
- Tap Clear Cache.
- Reopen Instagram and try again.
4. Check the account’s privacy
- Visit the profile that posted the story.
- Check whether the account is public or private.
- If it’s private, you must follow the account to view its stories.
5. Check if the account is deactivated
- Search for the username.
- If the account is deactivated, you will not be able to find it.
6. Check if the story has expired
- Instagram stories expire 24 hours after they were posted.
- If the story is older than 24 hours, it will be unavailable.
Conclusion
Encountering the “This Story Is Unavailable” message on Instagram can be frustrating. The cause may be the story being deleted, expired, restricted to close friends, the account becoming private, deactivated, or technical issues within Instagram.
By following the steps provided by Dubai Web, you can usually determine the cause and attempt to resolve the issue.
If you are unable to view other stories from the same account, it may indicate that the account is private, deactivated, or you have been blocked. In such cases, there is nothing further you can do.
